Trump's Religious Freedom Move Sparks Nigeria Market Crash

Nigeria’s dollar bonds and the naira suffered the steepest losses among emerging markets on Monday after President Donald Trump threatened possible military intervention and a halt to aid, citing alleged persecution of Christians in the country. Trump’s comments, which classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. religious freedom legislation, sparked a rapid selloff. The 2047 sovereign bond slid by 0.6 cents to 88.26 cents on the dollar, making it the worst-performing emerging market bond. The naira dropped 1.2% to ₦1,442.80 per dollar, marking its sharpest single-day fall since June, according to

.

Trump’s decision to label Nigeria as a CPC—a status that could pave the way for sanctions—was based on what he called “existential threats” to Christians, blaming extremist Islamists for a “mass slaughter” of believers. “The U.S. will immediately cut off all aid and support to Nigeria, and may soon enter that now disgraced nation, ‘guns blazing,’ to completely eliminate the Islamic Terrorists,” Trump posted on Truth Social, as reported by the

. The move reverses the Biden administration’s 2023 removal of Nigeria from the CPC list, which had been interpreted as a diplomatic gesture ahead of Antony Blinken’s visit, the San Francisco Chronicle noted.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu in Nigeria dismissed the accusations, highlighting its “consistent and genuine efforts” to safeguard religious liberty. Analysts point out that, while Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt do face attacks, much of the violence is rooted in ethnic and resource disputes, with Muslims in the north also frequently targeted, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, have long advocated for accountability, with Cruz’s Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act seeking sanctions against officials who enforce blasphemy laws or enable extremist violence, according to

.

The market reaction underscores the impact of U.S. political statements. Nigeria’s bonds and currency tumbled as overseas investors pulled out of risk assets amid fears of aid cuts or military action. “Statements from Washington can quickly prompt global investors to withdraw from Nigerian risk assets,” traders in London and New York told Cryptopolitan, noting significant selling in long-term debt. Despite this, the naira showed strength in October overall, gaining 3.63% against the dollar as foreign exchange inflows improved and output from Dangote Refinery helped stabilize demand,

reported.

The U.S. designation is part of a recurring pattern: Nigeria was first named a CPC in 2020 under Trump, but was removed from the list by Biden in 2023 to improve diplomatic relations. Trump’s renewed emphasis on religious persecution fits his broader approach of leveraging human rights issues to pressure both allies and rivals, even if it risks damaging ties with Africa’s largest economy.

On the global stage, this development coincides with a temporary pause in the U.S.-China trade dispute, as both countries agreed to suspend port fees and lower tariffs. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s turmoil demonstrates how international political maneuvers can have immediate effects on emerging markets. With Trump threatening “fast, vicious, and sweet” military action if Nigeria does not respond, investors are preparing for more market turbulence, the San Francisco Chronicle cautioned.